St Paul's Cathedral - Rule One - Don't Close Your Doors!
I'm somewhat disappointed at the lack of foresight by those who closed St Paul's Cathedral, sighting 'health and safety' as the main reason. Due to the protesters on the streets surrounding the Cathedral, there appears to be the possibility of congestion and potential for harassment of worshippers.I assume they fear trouble might start up again as when the riots took hold of London in the Summer. However, I notice that Starbucks are open as is every other business in the area. No one in the surrounding business locality seems to be concerned about this issue. No one has closed their doors except the church.
It must look to the outsider that the church is reverting to type, safeguarding its building - concerned about its fabric rather than the faith. The message is loud and clear, "we don't take risks!" Surely this was a wonderful opportunity to minister to people who feel anxious and concerned about their future. Its a strange one Jesus turned the tables over in the Temple because of the corrupt banking practices that were taking place in the sacred grounds of the Temple. Today St Paul's close the doors on people who metaphorically wish to repeat the same exercise without the violence. The people outside the church have got the message, while the people inside the church seem to be perhaps a little afraid of the message.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeDPkzM0QaY&feature=related[/youtube]
I couldn't help thinking about the tented village that represented the Church Without Walls Movement within the Church of Scotland, camped at Ingliston a few years ago. What some of us would give to have a few thousand people camped on the doorstep of our churches. What an opportunity to use the church as the place of prayer and reconciliation. Who cares if its a bit messy, life is messy, and the church should be at the centre of the mess. The way of the cross was messy,is messy but the message it brings is always relevant. I wonder what St Paul would say to the protesters? I wonder what Paul would say to the Dean? I wonder if the Dean realises what he is saying to the the public?
Under Protest
We've closed our doors,
because we panicked,
We're not used to having a community take residence around our church.
We have a ministry to tourists - people on the move.
Its less demanding- say a prayer then on your way.
You have them for an hour or two at the most.
We welcomed protest for an hour or two
A day at the most.
They made their point
Its now time to move on
Get back to normal
We like tourists
Residents are too much work,
If we start talking, building a relationship with them
We'll never get rid of them.
They might want to dwell in the House of the Lord - forever
We can't have these people here for Christmas - can we?
We're a church besieged by protest.
We're being used.
Churches shouldn't be used - not like this.
We'll lock the doors - hope they go away
Like the tourist do.
Posted By: Helmut On: 22 Nov 2011 At: 6:07am
Jimmy, my caveat sprang from first hand stories told to me when working with some public authority a long time ago.
In the light of recent events, and, thinking of it, old ones as well,
I should modify my caveat: it certainly cuts both ways. We invite travellers (and occupiers as well) because it seems politically correct and opportune at some time, and will kick them quite happily in their posteriors if it fits our purpose.
As they say: it needs five good events to remove one bad one from people’s memories.